Heathrow Transit on two different tickets and internal agreements between AI and BA
I’m an Indian citizen and I’m arriving at Heathrow on an Air India flight from Delhi and connecting to a British Airways flight to Milan Linate. Both the legs are on different tickets. Do I need to reclaim my bags and check in again if my transit time is 3.30 hours? (I was told by Air India that my baggage would be transferred to the British Airways flight in LHR if my transit time is under 4 hours. I’m kinda doubtful of that since both AI and BA have no codeshare agreement and the legs are on different tickets)
Also, would I be crossing the border control at Heathrow? And if yes, do I need to apply for a visitor in transit visa to access the baggage claim area, even though I have a Schengen Long Term (D) student visa for Italy?
Thanks in advance :)
Best Answer
All flights operating internationally from India during the lockdown phases have to comply with Intergovernmental Air Bubble Agreement. The current air bubble agreement allows travel to the UK for :
Any Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa and destined for the UK only.
So I think based on what I gather you will not be able to board the flight at New Delhi for your journey to the UK.
You will need to book your flights through Air India, KLM, Air France, or Lufthansa to a location in mainland Europe and then to Milan, Italy.
Pictures about "Heathrow Transit on two different tickets and internal agreements between AI and BA"
Do I have to go through security again for connecting flight at Heathrow?
Everyone who boards an aircraft at Heathrow has to be security screened to UK government standards. Even if you've already been through security checks at another airport, we're obliged to screen you again before you fly from Heathrow.Do you need another ticket for connecting flight?
Do I need a boarding pass for a connecting flight? Yes. You'll probably get all boarding passes at once when you check in for your first flight, whether you check in online, on your smartphone, or at the airport.Do I have to go through security again for connecting international flight?
Yes, a security check is mandatory when you take a connecting flight. This is because there is a time lag between getting off one aeroplane and getting on-board another to reach your destination.Is transit visa required for connecting flight in Heathrow?
You're going through UK border controlApply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you'll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. You'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if: you need to stay longer in the UK. you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK over a longer ...How to: Catch Your Connecting Flight at Heathrow
More answers regarding heathrow Transit on two different tickets and internal agreements between AI and BA
Answer 2
If it's two separate tickets you are a "self connecting passenger" and not a "connecting passenger". That typically means that you need to collect your bags, go through immigration and customs (which requires proper credentials), go the the check in counter for your second flight and check in over there. For specifics, you can put your flight details in here: https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-maps/travel-between-terminals
I was told by Air India that my baggage would be transferred to the British Airways
That would be unusual. In order to transfer baggage, the airlines would have to have an "interlining" agreement, which is different from code share or alliance partner. Unfortunately, interlining information isn't easily available. Your best shot would be to confirm this with British Airways as well. If both airlines say "yes", you are good to go, but it would be safer to plan for a self transfer.
You can always ask at check in and also look at the tags they put on your checked bag: if it says only LHR, you need to collect them yourself. If it says LIN as well, you are good.
do I need to apply for a visitor in transit visa ,
You probably need a transit Visa for a self transfer. See https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Answer 3
I was in a similar boat in November. I had a ticket on BA from Toronto to India transiting at LHR and I was told by BA that I will not be allowed to board the return flight to Canada as per the air bubble agreement since BA will carry passengers with a valid UK visa and destined for UK only. Very strangely they said they would let me board the onward leg from Toronto to India.
I checked this with many other airlines and they say the same. As per the air bubble agreement you are allowed to take only either the Indian carrier or the destination country's carrier (usually their flagship). So for travel to Canada (unless one is a Canadian citizen), only Air Canada or Air India would be allowed. For UK its either BA or AI. For US it either United or AI and so on.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ron Lach, Karolina Grabowska, Ron Lach, Karolina Grabowska